Senior Network Engineer

Job summary

Are you an expert in network design who loves working with the newest tech? We are looking for a Senior Network Engineer to lead and protect our entire network fabric, from on-premises systems to the cloud!

In this vital role, you will be the mastermind behind our network's design, security, and performance. You will collaborate with great teams, drive automation, and use top-tier tools like Cisco and Palo Alto to shield us from cyber risks. If you are a proactive problem solver who wants to lead high-profile tech projects and keep a major organisation securely connected, we want you on our team!

About the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is the UK’s principal competition and consumer protection authority. We promote competition and protect consumers with a clear end goal in mind: to drive economic growth and improve household prosperity. The CMA has a range of powers, which it uses to undertake a wide variety of cutting-edge, high profile and complex work, spanning merger and market inquiries, competition and consumer law enforcement, our role in the digital markets competition regime, subsidy advice, and internal market advice.

We are fully committed to being a flexible, respectful and inclusive employer. It is a priority to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we welcome applications from under-represented groups.

You can read more about working at the CMA in our candidate pack

Job description

What you will do

As a Senior Network Engineer, here is what you will do:

• Lead Network Projects: Build and maintain strong WAN and LAN connections using Cisco hardware while making sure they follow top government security standards.
• Protect against Cyber Risks: Block online threats by managing firewalls, scanning for weak spots, and fixing security issues quickly.
• Collaborate and Guide: Work with other tech teams to design great systems and give expert advice to senior leaders.
• Keep Systems Running Fast: Fix technical glitches and update software patches so the network stays safe, fast, and reliable.
• Plan for the Future: Watch budget costs, manage software licences, and research new technology to keep the network modern.

You can read the full job description on the attached role profile.

What you will need

• Top-Tier Tech Certification: Full Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) qualification with minimum 3 years work experience as a network administrator
• Deep Network Expertise: Strong experience designing and building secure computer networks (like LAN, WAN, and WiFi) using Cisco tools, routing, and switching.

• Cloud and System Integration: Proven ability to connect complex systems together, especially using cloud networks like AWS and Azure.

• Advanced Troubleshooting Skills: A knack for breaking down tricky tech problems to fix them, specifically with Cisco hardware and Palo Alto firewalls.

• Great Communication: The ability to talk easily with both tech experts and regular team members to explain your ideas clearly.

What we can offer you

In return the CMA is a hugely diverse, rewarding and stimulating place to work – an opportunity to work for the public good and to stretch and develop yourself in doing so. We offer generous benefits, including an excellent pension scheme, at least 25 days leave (increasing to 30 over five years), and generous maternity/paternity leave provision. You can also take advantage of interest-free season ticket loans, a cycle to work scheme, our employee assistance programme and flexible working options.

Person specification

It is essential that you can provide evidence and examples for each of the following selection criteria in your application. For tips on how to make the most your application, please have a look at our guidance document.

Essential:

• Qualification:Full Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) qualification with minimum 3 years work experience as a network administrator(Lead Criteria)

• IT infrastructure. Experience of designing and implementing infrastructure technologies, solutions and services such as: networking, physical infrastructure, software, and cloud computing, including IaaS, PaaS and SaaS. Core network skills to include, routing (BGP, VRF's etc), switching (VLAN, Stacking, etc.) or comparable experience.
  
  
• System integration. Knowledge of moderate to complex service integration, particularly experience of integration with Azure & AWS related networking and typical DMZ architectures and Express Route, with experience of capacity and availability monitoring and analysis using tools such as Solar Winds.
  
  
• Systems design. Experience of designing secure systems characterised by medium levels of risk, impact, and business or technical complexity. Ability to select appropriate design standards, methods and tools and ensure they are applied effectively. Ability to review the systems designs of others to ensure selection of appropriate technology and efficient use of resources. Substantial experience in designing, deploying, and managing of Cisco Wireless / LAN networks, Cisco Catalyst Center (formerly DNA Center)/SD-Access networks, Cisco ISE.
  
  
• Technical understanding. Deep understanding of the technical concepts required in the role including LAN, WAN, WiFi, data-centre networks, unified comms, network management solutions, network-specific security, remote access technologies and approaches, SIEM and IPS/IDS technologies and toolset used for vulnerability scanning including Nessus, understanding of SIP, VoIP, Video Conferencing, managing QOS and good knowledge of Microsoft Visio to create network documentation.
  
  
• Troubleshooting and problem resolution. Experience of breaking a problem down into its component parts to identify and diagnose root causes and of troubleshooting and identifying problems across different technology capabilities, ideally Cisco Catalyst 9500, 9300, Cisco FirePower and Palo Alto firewalls in HA configured environments, Cisco ISE including NAC, 802.1x, MAB, Profiling policies, Certificates and Guest Portal, or comparable technologies. Cisco Umbrella SIG or similar proxy solutions.
  
  
• Stakeholder engagement. Effective stakeholder management skills and proven ability of communicating to both technical and non-technical audiences

Qualifications

Full Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) qualification with minimum 3 years work experience as a network administrator

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Managing a Quality Service
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• You will be assessed against the Digital, Data and Technology profession capability framework at Lead Network Engineer-